I turned 30 a little over a week ago but I wasn't online because I was on holidays. My date of birth was July 21st, 1987. On that date, Guns N Roses also released their debut Appetite for Destruction. I was just over 21 when I joined this site. I will list some things I have achieved since joining the site as well as rank AfD. I feel old, Sputnik, but nonetheless thankful for all of you who have been so cool over the years.

After two years in Dubai, I took my small fortune and jetted off for another year to Kyoto, Japan, to teach English. There have been murmurs around Sputnik that I may have banged a few Jap girls in Kyoto.

I came back to Dublin, Ireland just before my 26th birthday. Spent that year attempting to do the usual quarter-life stuff, like rediscovering myself and seeing where I wanted my life to go. This was a somewhat dark time for me as my grandparents- whom I had lived with all through college- passed away within two weeks of each other and their house in which I made many happy memories had to be sold. Work came slowly and infrequently for me while my friends already all had acquired permanent teaching positions whilst I had been away. I did meet a girl named Aisling who became my first love, but...

My relationship with Aisling lasted almost two years but things became tumultuous. Then she cheated on me with a former friend and my entire group became irreparably fractured as a result. It was around this time that I decided that it was time to pick up my guitar again.

While playing with my friend's band, I decided to teach English again during the summer. I secured a long term summer contract with a company in Dublin to teach English during July. Met some cool people doing this and I continue it to this day. I also met another gal by the name of Hannah on the job who was training to be a teacher in my old alma mater, but nothing came of that just yet...

I secured a mainstream teaching position in Dublin the following year. Kids were in the 10- 11 age bracket and were excellently behaved. My worst fear about the job was alleviated- I enjoyed the career I had trained for and was actually pretty good at it too.

The year was out, a successful one as my class scored very highly in their tests all round. But I hardly had time to catch my breath when it was time to teach English for July once again. Hannah came back too. I asked her out on the last night of the course. She said "no".

Turning 28 and still not permanent was a little disheartening. A friend was promoted to school principal. Taught English again. Hannah came back again. I asked her out again. She said "yes". Dates went by and we're together to this day.

Another year of teaching, but this time in the field of Learning Support'- think 'remedial' teaching. There's talk of staying in this school for longer, perhaps even a permanent post... I do the difficult interview... I get the permanent job at long last!!!

May 27th, 2017. I'm hurtling towards the big 3-0 and I finally get to see Guns N Roses at Slane Castle, Ireland. I wait for 11 hours in the pissing rain up front on my own but it is worth it. Best concert I have ever been to. You can even see me in the picture Melissa Reese took of the crowd from the stage.

I'm now 30. I'm meant to be a responsible adult but I'm having a lot of fun. I listen to a lot of music. I read a lot of books. I play a lot of video games. I see a lot of films. Almost always with Hannah by my side. I'm happy. She's happy. We have our own apartment and permanent jobs. We're getting a dog. Life is damn, damn good right now.

"My relationship with Aisling lasted almost two years but things became tumultuous. Then she cheated on me with a former friend and my entire group became irreparably fractured as a result. It was around this time that I decided that it was time to pick up my guitar again."

LOL!!! Are you one of those unbearable teachers who try and be cool. Hey, don't call me sir. Call me Con. I can still rock. You there Smith, stop dawdling and bring out my guitar, I'll really teach you kids something.